Mr. Brett Craig has over 14 years of experience in the vision care industry as a senior executive. Mr. Craig most recently served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Transitions Optical, the world's largest photochromic lens company. During Mr. Craig's tenure, Transitions Optical experienced rapid commercial growth through new product introductions, global geographic expansion and strategic alliances. Previous to his President and COO role, Mr. Craig served both as General Manager/Managing Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa and General Manager/Managing Director for Asia Pacific and Australia/New Zealand. Mr. Craig holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and a M.B.A. from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
Dr. Ronald Blum is named as the inventor on over 500 patents and patent applications. In 1977, Dr. Blum founded one of the largest multi-location, private professional optometric practices in the Southeastern United States. In 1990, Dr. Blum founded Innotech, which was taken public on the NASDAQ exchange in 1996 and sold to Johnson & Johnson in 1997; where Dr. Blum remained until March 1999 as General Manager of Advanced Technologies for the Spectacle Lens Group, leading the team that invented and developed the Definity Progressive Addition Lens. Dr. Blum has served on the Board of Trustees for Roanoke College and on Editorial Advisory Boards of two national vision care industry publications. Dr. Blum received his Doctorate of Optometry degree from the Southern College of Optometry.
Robert S. Hall, L.O. ABO/NCLE is the former Manager of New Product Development for R&D at ITT Night Vision, and prior Business Unit Manager of Operations for Johnson & Johnson Vision Care. At J&J Vision Care Mr. Hall was responsible for logistics, customer service, finish fabrication, product testing, management of the process capability program, and budget planning for his respective cost center. Mr. Hall holds a B.A. degree in Business Administration and Organizational Management, and A.S. degrees in Ophthalmic Lens Design and Dispensing, and Structural Engineering.
Bill Kokonaski, is the past Director of Engineering for the Johnson & Johnson Spectacle Lens Group, including significant involvement in the design of the Johnson & Johnson Definity progressive lens. Mr. Kokonaski was also a Past Director of Engineering at Innotech, a NASDAQ company acquired by Johnson & Johnson. Holding degrees in physics, electrical engineering and mathematics, Mr. Kokonaski has previously worked with multiple Fortune 500 companies, and was co-inventor of the electro-active lens technology platform. Mr. Kokonaski has over 20 years of engineering, science and technology experience, and more than 10 years experience in the optical industry.
Lutheria H. Smithi, has 18 years of Human Resources Management experience, most recently as Vice President of Shared Support Services for Hanwha Azdel, Inc. (formerly a GE/PPG Joint Venture), with responsibility for the leadership of the Human Resources, Corporate Insurance & Automobile Fleet, Information Technology, and Legal Departments. Prior to Azdel, Mrs. Smith held HR leadership roles at Allstate Insurance Company, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division and Optical Cable Corporation. She holds a degree in Political Economy from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College; and has studied at Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations and Oxford and Reading Universities in England. Mrs. Smith serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Virginia Blue Ridge Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Church School Superintendent for her church; and is a Past President of the Junior League of Roanoke Valley, VA, Inc.
Lutheria H. Smith has 18 years of Human Resources Management experience, most recently as Vice President of Shared Support Services for Hanwha Azdel, Inc. (formerly a GE/PPG Joint Venture), with responsibility for the leadership of the Human Resources, Corporate Insurance & Automobile Fleet, Information Technology, and Legal Departments. Prior to Azdel, Mrs. Smith held HR leadership roles at Allstate Insurance Company, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division and Optical Cable Corporation. She holds a degree in Political Economy from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College; and has studied at Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations and Oxford and Reading Universities in England. Mrs. Smith serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Virginia Blue Ridge Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Church School Superintendent for her church; and is a Past President of the Junior League of Roanoke Valley, VA, Inc.
Jeff Lane has 30 years of professional Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Operations experience, most recently serving as Vice President of Client Services for Safer Healthcare LLC.. Mr. Lane is the recipient of the AT&T Technical Professional Award of Excellence, and numerous other awards in recognition of his hard work and dedication to guiding companies to achievement of operational excellence. Mr. Lane holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Lawrence Technological University and a Master’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University
William Spies has over 25 years of experience in the optical industry. Mr. Spies is the former Vice President and General Manager at Essilor Laboratories of America. Mr. Spies has additional optical industry experience serving as the President and CEO of Hoya Lens of America for 3 years; and as Executive Vice President and General Manager for Seiko Optical Products for 8 years. Mr. Spies has additional medical device experience having served as Senior Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Service at Candela Corporation and General Manager at Cordis, a Johnson and Johnson Company. Mr. Spies holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Lawrence University and an MBA from Columbia University.